(AllHipHop News) Rapper Rick Ross has shed 75 pounds after doctors told him his bulk and his heavyweight lifestyle would kill him.
At his heaviest, the “Hustlin’” hitmaker tipped the scales at 350 pounds and as a result slept for just three hours a night.
Ross also had a habit of gobbling down huge steaks at 4am, but two seizures within six hours of each other made him get serious about his diet and his health.
“I’m still losing weight, and now I’m starting to build hard muscle in places,” he tells Men’s Health magazine, explaining he has been taking his weight loss slowly.
“If I quit all the things I loved cold turkey, I knew it would only be so long before I went back to my old ways.”
In order to achieve his goal, Ross pledged not to eat fast food after 5pm and he hired a chef to cook up healthy meals for him.
He also created a new ‘RossFit’ motivational work group to help him stay true to his goals, and now he jogs four days a week before hitting the gym.
Ross can’t believe he’s actually enjoying the healthy lifetstyle, adding, “My advice for anyone looking to lose weight is to not make it feel like a job.”
In interesting news Lil’ Durk revealed that he isn’t having sex with his girlfriend Dej Loaf.
This certainly doesn’t help the fact that people already believe their relationship is fake.
Lil’ Durk revealed on The Breakfast Club that he and Dej have been together for over a year but the two have chosen to abstain from sex, and Dej Loaf is still a virgin.
To many, this relationship screams fake as Durk wasn’t abstaining before as he has kids, and because of the lesbian rumors that have followed Dej.
(AllHipHop News) Once again social media and the blogosphere was lit with reactions and responses after audio of Hot 97’s Ebro Darden claiming a potential Eminem vs Drake feud could ignite the internet.
In the clip, Ebro recalls a supposed conversation he had with Drake about Joe Budden, and the discussion eventually included a mention of Em.
“I told Drake that I heard the rumor was that Eminem was going to gear up to come after him,” said Ebro. “He laughed and was like, ‘That’s not going to happen. He’d never do that. And if he did, I got something for him to.'”
Ebro speaks on his recent convo with Drake about Joe Budden & if Eminem were to diss him pic.twitter.com/BFNMOULkWs
Twitter exploded with users debating what would happen if the two platinum-selling rappers went head-to-head. As a result, Eminem was a trending topic on the platform for hours.
But was Ebro just trolling with his claims about Drake and Eminem? His own tweets seem to suggest that was the case. One tweet stated, “It was such a joke and people ran with it.”
It was such a joke and people ran with it… Slow news day. Drake got too much respect for all that… https://t.co/fzq1WnwRbb
Individuals connected to Eminem also came out to offer hints that the Drizzy/Slim Shady battle scenario was extremely far-fetched.
Em’s manager Paul Rosenberg as well as Slaughterhouse members Royce da 5’9″, Joe Budden, Kxng Crooked, and Joell Ortiz each posted messages on Twitter that seemed to be related to the topic.
(AllHipHop News) New York politician Ronald “Bee Stinger” Savage has teamed up with producer Jonathan Hay, KXNG Crooked, Truth Ali, and JC Flores for the new track “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” which addresses Savages allegations of child molestation against Hip-Hop icon Afrika Bambaataa.
The new track is actually a remix created by producer Johnathan Hay.
The producer says he was inspired to do the remix after hearing the poignant lyrics from Truth Ali on the original version with the MC rhyming “I was touched in a way that no kid should have to talk about.”
The remix features keys from Bambaataa’s classic track “Planet Rock” replayed by Hay while accuser Ronald Savage issues a very bold challenge to president Barack Obama.
“Children are being molested every day. I was molested by a world Hip-Hop icon,” states Savage. “My question is to the President of the United States of America: what are you going to do about the child molestation crisis of America?”
On the track Truth Ali speaks about his past victimization while Savage sheds light on his own story.
In a previous interview with AllHipHop.com, Ronald Savage also had some very choice words for Hip-Hop representative KRS-One and his apparent defense of Afrika Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation.
Ronald Savage was recently reported to be the target of threats from two of the Zulu Nation’s top lieutenants, as indicated by two recorded phone conversations suggesting that the accuser was vehemently coerced to retract his claims.
(AllHipHop News) Fat Joe and Remy Ma have once again teamed with Tidal to release a new record. Previously, the New York City rap tandem tapped Jay Z for the remix to “All The Way Up” which premiered on the streaming platform.
Now Joe and Remy’s new single “Cookin” hits the internet via Tidal as well.
The track also features Bronx representative French Montana and Latin rapper Ry So Valid.
“I love what Tidal’s doing for the artists. The artists really have to get compensated for their music,” Fat Joe told AllHipHop.com in May. “Whenever you wonder where your favorite artists went, he can’t be an artist because he ain’t making enough money to be an artist.”
The Terror Squad leader added, “What really got me was the fact Prince fought for his name and masters for 20 years. Then he co-signed Tidal. Him putting all his music on Tidal lets you know the integrity behind Tidal.”
Check out a preview of Fat Joe’s “Cookin” with Remy Ma and French Montana featuring Ry So Valid below. Tidal subscribers can listen to the full song here.
(AllHipHop News) Gucci Mane has made a big splash in the industry with his first album release since his return from prison, Everybody Looking.
Billboard indicates that the album is his first project to ever claim the top spot on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Chart, with the set selling 43,000 copies in its first week ending July 28 as reported by Nielsen Music.
Up to this point in his career it is his best performing album on the chart were his 2009 release, The State Vs. Radric Davis and 2010’s The Appeal: Georgia’s Most Wanted, each of which debuted and peaked at No. 2 on the charts.
Gucci’s first number one debut has also broken his second place tie with Lil Wayne for most albums on the chart by a rapper, with Leflare now having 28-charted titles under his belt.
E-40 currently leads the pack, with the Bay legend managing to get 32 titles placed on the charts.
Everybody Looking was released July 22 and features appearances from hit artists such as Drake, Young Thug, and Kanye West.
(AllHipHop News) It appears to be Escobar season once again.
Nas has had a lot on his plate the last few months.
The rap icon executive producedThe Land soundtrack, and he wrote lyrics for the forthcoming Netflix Hip Hop drama The Get Down.
DJ Khaled also tapped Nas for “Nas Album Done” off the Major Key album. The Queens native spoke to Complex about the track.
“Khaled hit me up and said that he wanted to do this and we had planned some studio days to sit down and we cleared some studio days just to go over records,” said Nas. “He knew exactly what he wanted. He had a couple of ideas, but the one we put out, that was the one he really wanted.”
The “This Bitter Land” rhymer was also asked if the title of “Nas Album Done” was accurate.
He replied, “All we’re doing now is plotting when we’re dropping.”
The confirmation that Nas’ 11th studio album is on the way will surely excite his legion of fans.
However, Esco followers will have to wait a little while longer to find out the name of the project.
(AllHipHop News) Last year Hot 97 morning show host Ebro Darden took issue with Complex naming Rae Sremmurd’s SremmLife as the third best album of 2015.
Ebro even suggested the duo did not write their own lyrics which sparked a reaction from Rae Sremmurd’s label head Mike Will Made-It.
The brothers returned to Hot 97 this week to talk with Peter Rosenberg. Ebro was said to be out of town.
“We wrote all the lyrics,” said Swae Lee.
Jxmmi added, “That’s all we cared about.”
“You got the dummies out there that just believe whatever they hear on the internet,” Swae continued.
“Don’t troll like that. If you’re going to troll, troll facts,” suggested Jxmmi.
Both Mississippi natives stated they were not really concerned about placement on “Best Of” lists, commenting that every person and media outlet has the right to their personal opinion.
Rae Sremmurd’s SremmLife 2 is set to arrive on August 12. The album features appearances by Gucci Mane, Juicy J, Lil Jon, and Kodak Black.
(AllHipHop News) Kanye West will have to wait to realize his dream of designing furniture for IKEA after a representative insisted they have “no plans” for a collaboration.
The “Power” hitmaker, who has his own sneaker and clothing line with Adidas, paid a visit to IKEA’s headquarters in Sweden in March, when he was given a tour of their main operations.
The trip sparked speculation Kanye may be using his eye for design to create a new affordable furniture range with the Swedish firm, but no announcement has emerged since, and on Monday (August 1st), he issued a public appeal to IKEA bosses to hire his talents.
“I have to work with IKEA – make furniture for interior design, for architecture,” he told BBC Radio 1, revealing he had an idea for a “minimalist apartment inside of a college dorm.”
Explaining how his association would help to boost sales, he suggested fans should lobby on his behalf: “(They should say), ‘Yo IKEA, allow Kanye to create, allow him to make this thing, because you know what, I want a bed that he makes, I want a chair that he makes.'”
However, a spokesperson for the home furnishings chain is adamant the plea has not changed executives’ minds, at least for the time being.
“Although we are really flattered by Kanye West’s high interest in IKEA and the speculation around a joint venture, we have no plans to collaborate at this point in time,” the rep told CNBC.
Touching on Kanye’s March visit to IKEA headquarters, they added, “At IKEA, we are constantly curious about different people, companies, artists and events around the world. To have these connections and inspiring meetings is an important way for us to find new ways to create a better everyday life for the many people.”
If Kanye does manage to convince IKEA chiefs to let him design for the flatpack firm, it will mark a new era for the company as it has yet to collaborate with a celebrity.
Hip Hop is an undeniable global phenomenon with the ability to impact millions of people.
The influential power of the culture that began in The Bronx forty years ago has routinely been used to address social concerns such as police brutality and inner-city crime.
For example, The Game recently brought together cops, gang members, local residents, and politicians for a conversation about the highly publicized violence that the entire nation witnessed this summer.
A photo posted by The Game (@losangelesconfidential) on
AllHipHop.com spoke with fellow Los Angeles emcee Murs about Hip Hop’s part in improving the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
“I believe [Hip Hop] can play a large role. It is a common bridge because you have officers that grew up listening to Snoop Dogg. I know officers in New York that put me on to French Montana years ago,” says Murs. “I think we’re at a point where we’ve evolved. We all know some cool cops, and cops know that Hip Hop is part of the world now. To me, it’s the most dominant culture in the world so they have to respect us.”
The host of the Where You At? L.A. online series adds, “I think Hip Hop has made it easier for black people, brown people, white people, gangbangers, and cops to come together on a level playing field.”
Murs’ hometown has long been a focal point for shining a spotlight on excessive force conducted by officers of the law.
From N.W.A’s classic “F-ck Tha Police” to the videotaped beating of Rodney King to YG’s recent “Police Get Away Wit Murder,” the LAPD has built a reputation among many Hip Hop devotees as a symbol of a police department deeply embedded with systemic racism.
There have been reports that race relations at the Los Angeles Police Department have improved.
Police Chief Charlie Beck received praise from civil rights advocates in January after recommending an officer that fatally shot unarmed Brendon Glenn should face criminal charges.
Chief Beck champions the fact his department is 45 percent Hispanic and 13 percent African-American because the percentages closely align to the demographics of Los Angeles (49% Hispanic, 10% African-American).
Chief Beck only gave the nephew of former Deputy Chief Michael Hillmann a 65-day suspension despite calls by high-ranking police officials and a disciplinary board for Officer Hillmann to be fired for the racist remarks and lying to his superiors about the incident.
A year later, ex-LAPD cop Christopher Dorner blasted the department for widespread racism in a manifesto written in the middle of his multi-county rampage which left law enforcement officers and civilians dead.
In response to Dorner’s charge, Sgt. Wayne K. Guillary publicly expressed his belief that the LAPD still had a problem with racial discrimination in its ranks, but the veteran peace officer also acknowledged Chief Beck’s strides to improve the department.
Even the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has faced accusations of prejudice. Earlier this year, a police official was forced to resign after emails disparaging Muslims, Catholics, Latinos, African-Americans, and women were uncovered.
So has America’s third largest police force actually changed since the world witnessed L.A. cops mercilessly kick Rodney King and strike him over 50 times with their batons in 1991?
According to Murs, things have improved in his view. However, he still experiences the anxiety many people of color feel when they come in contact with a cop.
The “Time Is Now” rhymer also has the same reaction when crossing the path of certain gang representatives.
“It’s a lot chiller than it used to be. But when I still see [cops], I’m on edge. I grew up in a Crip neighborhood, so when I see Bloods, I’m still a little on edge,” Murs states. “But I think we’re all growing up. I go to my friend’s son’s football game and there are rival neighborhoods there. We’re all learning to get along. And the LAPD ain’t nothing but another gang.”
He continues, “You have groups like TDE where there are Bloods and Crips working together making music, making millions of dollars. Nipsey Hussle and YG are coming together to make a statement against Donald Trump. Game and Snoop are coming together. We’re learning that we don’t have to like each other, but we don’t’ have to be at each other’s neck all the time. As L.A. culture evolves, we’re getting to that point.”
Numerous reports, panels, and organizations have been established to confront unnecessary police violence and improve overall safety for minority neighborhoods. President Barack Obama commissioned a Task Force on 21st Century Policing as well.
One of the heavily cited recommendations from experts on the subject is the creation of genuine, sustained citizen-cop relationships. A strategy also known as community policing.
A popular example of a police officer actively striving to build trust with the inhabitants of the location he patrols can be found in Little Rock, Arkansas. Officer Tommy Norman has become a social media sensation for sharing various acts of community policing with his 900,000 Facebook fans and 1.2 million Instagram followers.
The LAPD has its own Community Policing Unit. The department also formed Community-Police Advisory Boards with the goal of providing an outlet for community members to provide advice to the Area Commanding Officer and to give residents a voice in the policing of their communities.
As police forces across the country continue to reform and activists continue to demand accountability from law enforcement, Hip Hop still has a role to play in bringing awareness and offering solutions to police brutality.
Murs suggests seeking mutual understanding can be an extremely effective approach to moving all sides closer together. The artistic culture that allowed the 38-year-old entertainer to positively touch other people’s lives can likewise serve as a unifying force to break down the divisive walls that separate individuals by race, status, lifestyles, or any other societal segment.
“[Cops] want to make it home like we want to make it home, and if we treat each other with respect, everybody gets to go home and earn a living,” says Murs. “We can build a solid foundation of peace and equality for future generations, whether we are realizing that consciously or unconsciously. We all love Tupac. We all love Snoop Dogg – there’s a lot more that we have in common than we did in the late 80’s and early 90’s.”
Drake and Rihanna’s love affair is still going pretty strong despite their insane tour schedules.
Rihanna took a break from her ANTI tour stops to fly from Paris to Toronto to support the 6 God at his OVO Fest. Rihanna surprised the crowd not only one night, but two nights in a row, when she hit the stage to perform “Too Good,” and “Work.” Rihanna even blessed the crowd with some of her own songs.
Before RiRi flew out to Sweeden for her next show, Drake made sure to let the crowd know how appreciative he was of his boo performing two nights in a row with him.
Drake called her the greatest entertainer in the world, and even said Rihanna’s support makes him want to go half on a baby. Uh oh. We’ll have to watch out for a baby bump.
“The MLH Caravan allows me to continue the theme of unity and celebration of the many facets of cultural and artistic beauty throughout the African diaspora while on tour this summer and fall,” Lauryn Hill told AllHipHop.com in a statement.
“In these days of tension, tumult and transition, an exchange of this kind can yield direction, expression, understanding and empowerment as well as connection, self Love and appreciation that hopefully overflows into our respective communities.,” Lauryn Hill said.
The tour begins August 27th in Philadelphia. Presale tickets will be available to Tidal members starting tomorrow (August 4) at 10:00am.
“MLH Caravan: A Diaspora Calling! Concert Series”
08/27/16 – Philadelphia, PA at The Mann Center
09/01/16 – Chicago, IL at Ravinia
09/02/16 – Detroit, MI at The Fillmore
09/04/16 – Minneapolis, MN at First Avenue
09/13/16 – Louisville, KY at The Louisville Palace
09/16/16 – Toronto, ON at Massey Hall
09/18/16 – Cleveland, OH at Hard Rock Live Rocksino
09/22/16 – Indianapolis, IN at The Murat Theatre
09/24/16 – Atlanta, GA at Chastain Park
09/25/16 – Tuscaloosa, AL at Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
10/01/16 – Boston, MA at Wang Theatre
11/01/16 – San Diego, CA at Copley Symphony Hall
11/06/16 – Seattle, WA at McCaw Hall
11/08/16 – Vancouver, BC at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
11/12/16 – Las Vegas, NV at The Foundry at SLS
11/13/16 – Phoenix, AZ at Comerica Theatre
Hip-Hop is absolutely abuzz with the talk of the new Chi town champion.
Plenty of cats in his position would be celebrating with all the liquor one budget can hold.
But with the new project “Fire In The Church” taking off, Montana is too busy minding his message and saying his prayers to be bothered.
The “Ice Cream Truck” MC sat with AllHipHop’s @MrMecc for a candid conversation on everything from the Troy Ave shooting and his past to to rappers responsibilities and lack of lyricism.
(AllHipHop News) The city of Atlanta is preparing for the return of Hip Hop legends The Dungeon Family.
The Southern crew – which consists of OutKast, Goodie Mob, Organized Noize, Killer Mike, and others – will reunite for ATL’s ONE Musicfest next month.
Before the collective hits the stage at Lakewood Amphitheatre, several members met with Atlanta area press members on Monday.
“I think there’s a lot of diversity in our collective efforts as a crew,” said Goodie Mob’s CeeLo Green. “We haven’t all tried to be the same and we’re not obligated to be the same way we were twenty years ago. Life is different. Circumstances are different. We’ve grown with age. We’ve grown and changed for the better, and that can be reflected in the art.”
CeeLo, Big Gipp, Slim Cutta Calhoun, Backbone, C-Bone, Lil Will, Rico Wade, and Ray Murray were all part of the panel. ONE Musicfest founder Jason “J” Carter was at the event as well.
“We want the music to reflect the times,” added Big Gipp. “It’s not a whole lot of artists besides Kendrick [Lamar], [J.] Cole, and a few other artists that are trying to push a positive image. And I feel that it’s so important that we keep that in the foresight because to me, Hip Hop is supposed to be a message. And that’s the only reason that I think Dungeon Family and the Outkast crew have lasted so long. I think we always did music where we wanted to say something. And I feel that that art and that mindset hasn’t been promoted in the last few years of Hip Hop.”
ONE Musicfest is scheduled for September 10. The line-up also includes Ice Cube, Erykah Badu, Busta Rhymes, A$AP Ferg, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, and more.
(AllHipHop News) “Straight Outta Compton” star Jason Mitchell is reportedly under investigation over allegations he assaulted a woman on Monday (August 1st).
The 29-year-old actor, who portrayed late N.W.A. rapper Eazy-E in the 2015 biopic, reportedly grabbed the unnamed 18-year-old woman and threw her to the ground at The Ritz hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, according to a police report filed by the alleged victim.
In the report, the woman claims the actor, who she’d never met before that night, called her a “b##ch” and fled the scene.
It also states other guests could hear her screaming for help. Staff at the hotel have since banned Mitchell.
Police officers are hoping to speak to the actor about the allegations.
While still riding the wave of last year’s successful Devil’s Night mixtape, Detroit Hip-Hop collective D12 has released new visuals for one of its tracks, “Raw As It Gets.”
In addition to stellar performances from Kuniva, Swifty, and Bizarre, the Motor City rhymers are also joined by frequent collaborator Lazarus who closes out the song strong.
(AllHipHop News) Spotify decided to flip the widely popular “Mean Tweets” segment from Jimmy Kimmel Live! by asking Gucci Mane to read “Sweet Tweets.”
The Atlanta rapper responded to several Twitter messages from friendly posters. One person wrote, “Gucci Mane’s bottom row of teeth is the most visually stunning thing I’ve seen in 18 years of living.”
Gucci was released from prison in May, and he recently released his Everybody Looking album to mostly favorable reviews.
Watch part I and II of Spotify’s “Sweet Tweets: Gucci Mane” below.
One thing about Beyonce is the Queen Bey is always working and expanding.
Beyonce is racking up millions on her ‘Formation’ tour, and her R&B duo Chloe & Halle are also becoming fan favorites.
Now rumor has it that Beyonce is currently working on launching her own television network through Parkwood Entertainment.
It has also been stated that this forthcoming launch was another reason why she fired and replaced her management team.
The rumored network will provide an inside look into her life as well as some of her closest friends as well as showcase their visual creativity.
The network will feature specials on African and American history also.
We could definitely see Beyonce and Jay Z launch a network, however she may want to get some advice from her pal Oprah, as even Oprah faced a few challenges in the first year of her network launching.
(AllHipHop News) It’s official, DJ Khaled is an A-list entertainer.
The man that has become the king of Snapchat is now set to become the ruler of the Billboard 200.
Khaled’s latest LP Major Key is on pace to earn over 90,000 equivalent album units, his first chart topper.
That total is likely enough to unseat Drake’s Views from the top spot on the album chart. The OVO leader is set to score around 80,000 SPS units.
Major Key is also predicted to sell around 60,000 copies in traditional album sales, giving the Miami-based DJ his highest opening week since 2007’s We The Best (79,000 copies).
If Khaled does hit #1 on the Billboard 200 it will continue Apple Music’s domination of the tally.
Major Key was released as an Apple Music exclusive.
Views was also only streamed on Apple Music for a limited time. Drake’s 4th studio album held onto the top spot for 12 nonconsecutive weeks.
Yet another Apple Music exclusive will surely be in contention for #1 next week if the reports that Frank Ocean’s long-delayedBoys Don’t Cry really arrives on Friday.
The project is said to be streaming solely on the platform for two weeks.
